James Gandolfini plays a stolid father in "Not Fade Away." The role "made me think about my father and me," he says.

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James Gandolfini's character in "Not Fade Away" -- the new film from "The Sopranos" creator David Chase -- is the polar opposite of mob boss Tony Soprano. Gandolfini portrays a hard-working, law-abiding, middle-class dad struggling with the 1960s generation gap. The Emmy-winning actor talked to the Free Press recently about the role and its relationship to his own family.

QUESTION: What is David Chase's directing style? Does he tell you what he wants, or is he more like the favorite teacher you try to please by making the right choices?